Former FSU administrator Mand recovering from brain surgery

Brian Mand, who worked at Florida State for 22 years over two stints in various administrative roles in the academics, compliance and student services areas, was resting comfortably at his Venice home on Friday after undergoing surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor.

Mand, 63, underwent the five-hour procedure Thursday at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa.

Mand’s wife, Roberta, told the Tallahassee Democrat that further tests will determine the type of cancer and a treatment plan. Mand was released from the Cancer Center on Friday.

“It has been truly and sobering and humbling experience but the outpouring of support has been great,” Brian Mand said Friday night.

Roberta Mand said her husband of 30 years has been overwhelmed by “the really sweet outpouring of support he is receiving” through traditional avenues and on social media.

She was relieved her husband was released from the hospital, though they will return in two weeks for an update on his treatment.

“You heal better at home,” Roberta said.

The couple retired last August and relocated from Tallahassee to Venice. Brian Mand was FSU’s Associate Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services from 2009-13 following jobs as Director of Athletics at St. Andrews Presbyterian College (2007-09) and Senior Associate Athletic Director at Cincinnati (1998-2007).

Mand, who received degrees from Wake Forest, Ohio State and Florida State, was in the Seminoles’ athletic administration and compliance for 18 years (1980-98).

Mand left for Cincinnati to join former FSU Director of Athletics Bob Goin, who served in that same capacity for the Bearcats for eight years.

“Brian did his job very well and was very professional,” said Goin, retired and living in Jacksonville. “We had a good partnership in Tallahassee and Cincinnati, and he did a great job.”

Roberta Mand said her husband first felt a tingling sensation on the left side of his body while exercising three weeks ago. She said the sensation recurred with more frequency and spread, and an MRI revealed the brain tumor.

“We know all the love and support we are receiving from our friends and family will be what gets Brian through this,” said Roberta, who worked at the Tallahassee Civic Center, the Tallahassee Bar Association and at FSU.